title: A high relaxivity Gd(III)DOTA-DSPE-based liposomal contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: The field of molecular imaging aims to visualize and quantify (patho)physiological processes at the cellular and molecular level. Sensitive and site-targeted contrast agents are employed to visualize molecular constituents of processes of interest. The principal aim of this study was to develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detectable liposome with high relaxivity and stability. To this end, Gd(III)DOTA-DSPE was synthesized and incorporated in a liposomal formulation. The resulting liposomes were extensively characterized in vitro in terms of contrast agent efficiency and structural properties. The liposomes were shown to have a high longitudinal relaxivity, which is crucial for the detection of low concentration molecular markers in molecular imaging studies. We also demonstrated that Gd(III)DOTA-DSPE exhibits no detectable transmetallation upon incubation with Zn(II). This is important as it significantly contributes to the biocompatibility of the contrast agent. The present liposome preparation will serve as versatile and well characterized platform for molecular imaging and targeted drug delivery studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sjoerd
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hak
authors.forename: Honorius M H F
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Prashant
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: Sander
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Langereis
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grüll
authors.forename: Henk M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Keizer
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Terreno
authors.forename: Gustav J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Strijkers
authors.forename: Klaas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nicolay
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D008081:Liposomes; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D008081:Liposomes; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines